Time to reflect on the year that was. Here are the resolutions I made and the success I had with them:
-develop abs
No abs
-be able to bend over and touch my toes/the ground without bending my knees (how I will be able to do this is beyond me…I’m the least flexible person I’ve ever met in life)
I started going to yoga to help with my flexibility and overall fitness. However, I quickly realized that the steel and pins in my back were not cooperating with that whole bend like a pretzel thing and I had to stop. I think I will restart though, now that I understand my limits
-be able to order a meal at a Japanese restaurant without assistance
Sort of. My Japanese hasn’t improved much. I think what it is is that I have actually gotten better with my gestures. It also depends on the type of restaurant I go to. I will never, ever, ever be able to understand kanji but if it’s katakana I might be able to understand something on the menu. We have a long way to go for this one.
-save atleast 20,000 yen a month (about 22,000 Ja which is very, very, very low and doable)
Yes, yes and yes. Money in the BAAAANK. Perhaps my biggest success of 2012. Let’s just say I’ve certainly met this goal.
-decide what I want to do in grad school, where I want to do it and how I’m gonna get it done
I’ve decided on an area of study, I have an idea of where it will get done and my only hope is that I am accepted into the programmes I’ve looked into.
High points included welcoming my nephew into the world, hosting my cousin in Japan for a month, surprising my father by taking a trip to Jamaica and travelling to South East Asia (again). I couldn’t help but feel that the year, overall,was pretty lackluster though especially when I compared it to 2011 which was all manner of awesomeness. There was very little spark and excitement. That said, perhaps that’s a good thing. Maybe I needed a relaxed year. Maybe it was the universe giving me some time to just reflect and be calm, to prepare for an amazing 2013. Who knows? I think perhaps what I’m happiest about as far as 2012 was concerned was that everyone close to me came out alive and well.
Now, I suppose that because my birthday is January 1st, the concept of making resolutions holds a little more weight for me. I mean it really is a NEW year for me; not just a new calendar year but a new year of life. As such, even when I want to be like other folks and throw making resolutions to the wayside, I never do. Here are my resolutions for 2013:
1. Make it to 100 lbs
2. Keep saving that 20,000 yen a month (about the same as the JA dollar)
3. Grow out my hair a full 5 inches longer
4. Write more. I’ve been told it’s my talent. I ought to make an attempt to tap into it and see where it can go. Investing in my craft and all these things…
That’s it. All doable. What are yours?
Good health, happiness and prosperity this year! Have a great 2013
minnysmind 
Sasha you don’t reach 100Lbs yet !!!! I can’t believe it. Looks like you aerw never predisposed to be of a normal weight. What I want to hear about thought is the snatch and flee.
Hey Mr. Wilson! No, still haven’t reached 100 lbs. You’re right, it’s just in my genes to be skinny.
As for the snatch and flee (haha) it happened very fast. A man on a bike bumped into me and grabbed the bag and drove off with it. I have since gotten back everything that was stolen (bank cards, phone etc) so I am fine.